Discussion
if you haven't driven a rear wheel drive car with more than 200bhp or so, i would go into it with your eyes wide open. all very well getting the cerb, but spend a couple of hundred quid on a driving day, and learn how and when it will bite you, safely off the public roads. try and get one where you can drive on a wet section too, it's a car to be treated with the upmost respect when it's wet, as are all tvrs.
can't go far wrong with a 4 litre Chim as a first TVR IMO. not the most powerful tiv by any stretch, but more than fast enough to keep you alert!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 16th August 14:28
Forthright MC said:
can't go far wrong with a 4 litre Chim as a first TVR IMO. not the most powerful tiv by any stretch, but more than fast enough to keep you alert!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
What he said, though personally Id go for a Griff, and in doing so, an early 4.3 specifically. You will have more choice if you look at Chims, and get a slightly newer model for your money. have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 16th August 14:28
Best thing to do is to find out where your nearest TVR Car Club region meet is, pop down and ask owners if you can have a sit in the various models. Im pretty sure you will find more than one owner willing to take you for a spin round the block.
Happy hunting
ETA: Whats your budget?
Edited by FUBAR on Thursday 16th August 14:34
Forthright MC said:
can't go far wrong with a 4 litre Chim as a first TVR IMO. not the most powerful tiv by any stretch, but more than fast enough to keep you alert!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
TBH if you decide to go down this route I'd try to find a 450 Chim rather than a 400. I went from a 2.3 Honda Prelude to my 400 Chim and whilst it was a big step up in performance it now feels slow. I really wish I'd looked at the 450s in the 1st place. have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 16th August 14:28
Zippee said:
Forthright MC said:
can't go far wrong with a 4 litre Chim as a first TVR IMO. not the most powerful tiv by any stretch, but more than fast enough to keep you alert!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
TBH if you decide to go down this route I'd try to find a 450 Chim rather than a 400. I went from a 2.3 Honda Prelude to my 400 Chim and whilst it was a big step up in performance it now feels slow. I really wish I'd looked at the 450s in the 1st place. have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 16th August 14:28
FUBAR said:
Time for a Cerb then you big girl's blouse
If only!! TBH I originally looked at Cerbs before buying the Chim but potential running costs (espec buying at the lower end of the market) put me off.Plus I'd never be forgiven if I bought another TVR at the moment - every penny we have spare at present is being put into getting Bevs business up and running. Next year maybe.....
FUBAR said:
Zippee said:
Forthright MC said:
can't go far wrong with a 4 litre Chim as a first TVR IMO. not the most powerful tiv by any stretch, but more than fast enough to keep you alert!
have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
TBH if you decide to go down this route I'd try to find a 450 Chim rather than a 400. I went from a 2.3 Honda Prelude to my 400 Chim and whilst it was a big step up in performance it now feels slow. I really wish I'd looked at the 450s in the 1st place. have a look round at a few and if you can stretch to a 4.5 go for it (considered by many to be the best all round Chim engine choice)
run it regularly for a few years then see about chopping it in for a Cerb!
Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 16th August 14:28
the trick is to drive some thing slow in the week (derv euro box) then when you get in the TVR at the weekend it feels as fast as it is!
drive the TVR day in day out you'll soon be trying to working out how to afford a veyron, or wandering how difficult it is to supercharge a S6!
custard
I bought a chim 450 as my first and sadly only TVR and while it was a step up in performance it wasn't that long before I got used to it. Luckily it was quite fit as well with 254bhp and 300lb torque, so make sure you get a looked after example, I personally wouldn't bother with a 400.
My First TVR is/was a wedge, 400se...
Depends if its your only car, but i decided to go for a wedge simply because they stand out, sound fantastic and have such a fantastic drive....
I had the same 'shall i get a S series, Chimp or maybe a wedge....i tried all and seeing as my friend has a chim 400, i wanted something different...
Admitedly they arent to everyones taste, but they really are awesome!
Depends if its your only car, but i decided to go for a wedge simply because they stand out, sound fantastic and have such a fantastic drive....
I had the same 'shall i get a S series, Chimp or maybe a wedge....i tried all and seeing as my friend has a chim 400, i wanted something different...
Admitedly they arent to everyones taste, but they really are awesome!
My first TVR was a Tamora.
Actually, my only TVR still is a Tamora and it is magic.
Why a Tamora is a great (first) TVR- from someone who drives a diesel Honda Accord during the week:
1: It is a proper convertible (rules out Cerb, Tuscan, T350, Grantura etc.)
[Mrs B's definition of proper convertible disqualifies Tuscan Mk1 due to "sticky up bit at the back"]
2: It is very rare, and therefore a very special sight on the roads
3: Its styling is very modern and aggressive. I very nearly bought a 2002 Chimera - until I saw it parked next to a T350. Whilst the Chimera has classic lines, the T350 looked more purposeful. Shame the T350's not convertible..... oh, that'll be the Tamora then!
4: It is (allegedly) the easiest to handle TVR - particularly if you specify 16" wheels. I'll admit that the 18" wheels look better, but even 18" wheels in the middle of a field are soooooo not cool! I'm human - I will admit that Michael Schumacher is (maybe) a better driver than I am so handling is a relevant consideration for me!
But, you know what, any TVR is a great first TVR.
All of the advice given in response to your post is good advice, but only you will know what your priorities are:
- your initial budget
- your budget for running costs (V8 = cheaper, except for Cerb. Cerb >= Speed6 running costs)
- 2 seats -v- 4 seats (Cerbera only but rear legroom virtually nonexistent)
- monster sized boot (Chimera) -v- perfectly acceptable boot (anything else)
- classic -v- modern styling
- convertible -v- fixed -v- Tuscan halfway house
- V8 Rumble -v- Speed6 Banshee
- sharp handling (Tamora) -v- sharp looks (Tuscan)
For me I guess the handling and styling swung it. But that's just me.
Go along to your local TVR Car Club. Look at the cars. Sit in them. Maybe even go out in a few. You are bound to find something that floats your boat. If nothing else, you'll meet a great bunch of people who adore their cars.
Neil
(Edited to remove typos)
Actually, my only TVR still is a Tamora and it is magic.
Why a Tamora is a great (first) TVR- from someone who drives a diesel Honda Accord during the week:
1: It is a proper convertible (rules out Cerb, Tuscan, T350, Grantura etc.)
[Mrs B's definition of proper convertible disqualifies Tuscan Mk1 due to "sticky up bit at the back"]
2: It is very rare, and therefore a very special sight on the roads
3: Its styling is very modern and aggressive. I very nearly bought a 2002 Chimera - until I saw it parked next to a T350. Whilst the Chimera has classic lines, the T350 looked more purposeful. Shame the T350's not convertible..... oh, that'll be the Tamora then!
4: It is (allegedly) the easiest to handle TVR - particularly if you specify 16" wheels. I'll admit that the 18" wheels look better, but even 18" wheels in the middle of a field are soooooo not cool! I'm human - I will admit that Michael Schumacher is (maybe) a better driver than I am so handling is a relevant consideration for me!
But, you know what, any TVR is a great first TVR.
All of the advice given in response to your post is good advice, but only you will know what your priorities are:
- your initial budget
- your budget for running costs (V8 = cheaper, except for Cerb. Cerb >= Speed6 running costs)
- 2 seats -v- 4 seats (Cerbera only but rear legroom virtually nonexistent)
- monster sized boot (Chimera) -v- perfectly acceptable boot (anything else)
- classic -v- modern styling
- convertible -v- fixed -v- Tuscan halfway house
- V8 Rumble -v- Speed6 Banshee
- sharp handling (Tamora) -v- sharp looks (Tuscan)
For me I guess the handling and styling swung it. But that's just me.
Go along to your local TVR Car Club. Look at the cars. Sit in them. Maybe even go out in a few. You are bound to find something that floats your boat. If nothing else, you'll meet a great bunch of people who adore their cars.
Neil
(Edited to remove typos)
Edited by neilboyd on Sunday 19th August 23:43
[quote=neilboyd]My first TVR was a Tamora.
Actually, my only TVR still is a Tamora and it is magic.
Could not agree more, my first and only TVR (so far) is a Tamora and its used everyday no leaks or other major probs. IMHO you cannot beat them for all round appeal, and in a semi-practical vein, with the targa pannel up the boot is massive! (ish)
Actually, my only TVR still is a Tamora and it is magic.
Could not agree more, my first and only TVR (so far) is a Tamora and its used everyday no leaks or other major probs. IMHO you cannot beat them for all round appeal, and in a semi-practical vein, with the targa pannel up the boot is massive! (ish)
neilboyd said:
- monster sized boot (Chimera) -v- perfectly acceptable boot (anything else)
Tuscan has the biggest boot (i think) on the Le Mans trip this year in convoy with a 350z the tuscan was dubbed the practical car!you can also get a MTB in it boot... handy
but as Neil says any TVR is better than no TVR
custard
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